I'll start by saying I think Buzz did a good job. Being relevant, with a chance to win games in the NCAA tournament is certainly an improvement over many years of Aggie basketball. It's mixed because I was pretty disappointed with the late season defensive collapse.
People seem to say the problem was we couldn't score, and that was just not the case this year, as unorthodox as we were. the problem late in the season was we couldn't get stops vs Michigan, Texas, Florida, Vanderbilt. I don't know how to explain our poor defense late considering how good we were for 80% of the season.
Going forward, I'm very impressed with Bucky's recruiting efforts, especially considering the late start he got. It feels like Bucky is gonna put alot more effort into recruiting than Buzz did. For Buzz to take a guy like Jace Carter sight unseen was a definite red flag for me.
Here's my stab at our lineup next year:
C - Federiko - This is huge in my opinion especially when you consider the style we are gonna be playing. If we really are going to be extending our defense with traps and pressure on the wings we are going to be beaten off the dribble more often, which makes a 6'11" shot blocker much more important. Watching his highlights he looks strictly like an offensive rebounder and lob catcher (and he looks good catching/finishing lobs), but playing backstop with a gambling defense can be vital. His high rebound rate is also very important because most of the rest of the roster looks to be average at best rebounders (NC State guy Hill excluded)
PF - Mgbako - Having someone with size willing and able to shoot 3s at an impressive rate will be very strange and welcome compared to the last few years (Andy was able but not very willing). It doesn't appear as though he rebounds at a super high rate, which makes Fed more valuable.
SF - Marcus Hill - Watching his highlights he shoots 3s very infrequently but looks good driving the ball to the bucket, drawing fouls, and looking like he's able to finish. Speaking of drawing fouls, he shot 75% from the free throw line. I'm guessing Bucky sees that and tries to turn him into a competent 3 point shooter. He also appears to rebound at a high rate for a 6'4" guard. He looks physically stout like he'll be good defensively and rebounding. Kinda reminds me of Boots as far as the driving and rebounding ability...hopefully he can stay in front of the ball better defensively.
SG - Duke Miles - His 3 point percentage is super impressive, and being the 3rd leading scorer on a good Oklahoma team is a very good sign. Watching his highlights, he surprisingly looks like he can create some offense off the dribble...wasn't really expecting that. He looks fast, seems to use a hesi move alot.
PG - Lane - Again, super impressive 3 point % and good assist to turnover ratio. Not very big but looks to be able to create some offense off the dribble. I know whatever conference he was in is not the SEC, but his stats and highlights point towards a plus SEC player.
Backup guard - Holloway - Having a guy that's been in Bucky's system will be very valuable, plus he looks like he can play. Brings defensive reputation without the good 3 point shooting %. 70% free throw shooter, lots of time on the gun in the offseason, and Bucky's emphasis on 3 point shooting point to better shooting hopefully.
Backup C/PF - Clemence - 6'11" 250 is great size and supposedly he can shoot. I don't think he's an explosive 6'11" like Fed, but being able to shoot and rebound his position is valuable.
Backup C/PF - Jamie Vinson - His highlights from high school look like he's has a better than expected 3 point shot...also looked athletic catching lobs and blocking shots...definite potential.
If we get Rylen Griffin I would probably predict he becomes the starting SF, pushing Hill to a useful backup role. Griffen is a proven SEC player who averaged 11 points at Alabama 2 years ago while shooting about 40% from 3...very encouraging.
Concerns - Giving up too many easy buckets with extended defense (I hate giving up easy buckets) and rebounding will surely take a step back...how could it not?
Improvements - More pressure should lead to more easy baskets and 3 point shooting improved...how could it not?
People seem to say the problem was we couldn't score, and that was just not the case this year, as unorthodox as we were. the problem late in the season was we couldn't get stops vs Michigan, Texas, Florida, Vanderbilt. I don't know how to explain our poor defense late considering how good we were for 80% of the season.
Going forward, I'm very impressed with Bucky's recruiting efforts, especially considering the late start he got. It feels like Bucky is gonna put alot more effort into recruiting than Buzz did. For Buzz to take a guy like Jace Carter sight unseen was a definite red flag for me.
Here's my stab at our lineup next year:
C - Federiko - This is huge in my opinion especially when you consider the style we are gonna be playing. If we really are going to be extending our defense with traps and pressure on the wings we are going to be beaten off the dribble more often, which makes a 6'11" shot blocker much more important. Watching his highlights he looks strictly like an offensive rebounder and lob catcher (and he looks good catching/finishing lobs), but playing backstop with a gambling defense can be vital. His high rebound rate is also very important because most of the rest of the roster looks to be average at best rebounders (NC State guy Hill excluded)
PF - Mgbako - Having someone with size willing and able to shoot 3s at an impressive rate will be very strange and welcome compared to the last few years (Andy was able but not very willing). It doesn't appear as though he rebounds at a super high rate, which makes Fed more valuable.
SF - Marcus Hill - Watching his highlights he shoots 3s very infrequently but looks good driving the ball to the bucket, drawing fouls, and looking like he's able to finish. Speaking of drawing fouls, he shot 75% from the free throw line. I'm guessing Bucky sees that and tries to turn him into a competent 3 point shooter. He also appears to rebound at a high rate for a 6'4" guard. He looks physically stout like he'll be good defensively and rebounding. Kinda reminds me of Boots as far as the driving and rebounding ability...hopefully he can stay in front of the ball better defensively.
SG - Duke Miles - His 3 point percentage is super impressive, and being the 3rd leading scorer on a good Oklahoma team is a very good sign. Watching his highlights, he surprisingly looks like he can create some offense off the dribble...wasn't really expecting that. He looks fast, seems to use a hesi move alot.
PG - Lane - Again, super impressive 3 point % and good assist to turnover ratio. Not very big but looks to be able to create some offense off the dribble. I know whatever conference he was in is not the SEC, but his stats and highlights point towards a plus SEC player.
Backup guard - Holloway - Having a guy that's been in Bucky's system will be very valuable, plus he looks like he can play. Brings defensive reputation without the good 3 point shooting %. 70% free throw shooter, lots of time on the gun in the offseason, and Bucky's emphasis on 3 point shooting point to better shooting hopefully.
Backup C/PF - Clemence - 6'11" 250 is great size and supposedly he can shoot. I don't think he's an explosive 6'11" like Fed, but being able to shoot and rebound his position is valuable.
Backup C/PF - Jamie Vinson - His highlights from high school look like he's has a better than expected 3 point shot...also looked athletic catching lobs and blocking shots...definite potential.
If we get Rylen Griffin I would probably predict he becomes the starting SF, pushing Hill to a useful backup role. Griffen is a proven SEC player who averaged 11 points at Alabama 2 years ago while shooting about 40% from 3...very encouraging.
Concerns - Giving up too many easy buckets with extended defense (I hate giving up easy buckets) and rebounding will surely take a step back...how could it not?
Improvements - More pressure should lead to more easy baskets and 3 point shooting improved...how could it not?
